2025 Top 100 MLB Players: #85 - #81

85. Alex Bregman - Boston Red Sox

Following an impressive nine-year tenure with the Houston Astros, Alex Bregman embarks on a new phase in his professional journey with the Boston Red Sox. The 31-year-old third baseman arrives with an extensive background and an accomplished record.

During his time in Houston, Bregman distinguished himself as one of the foremost third basemen in baseball, earning All-Star selections in both 2018 and 2019, along with two World Series championships in 2017 and 2022. His remarkable consistency at the plate, coupled with his dependable defensive skills, have been defining features of his career.

The Albuquerque native is coming off a notable 2024 season, during which he secured his first Gold Glove Award, highlighting his prowess on defense. At the plate, Bregman showcases a unique combination of power and discipline, having achieved a career batting average of .273, along with 192 home runs and 667 RBIs over his nine seasons.

As he joins the Red Sox, Bregman will be pivotal as a veteran leader. His extensive postseason experience—where he holds multiple records for third basemen—will be crucial for a Red Sox team aiming to regain its competitive edge. The savvy and disciplined hitter is expected to integrate seamlessly into Boston's lineup while providing essential stability at third base.

84. Ezequiel Tovar - Colorado Rockies

Ezequiel Tovar has rapidly emerged as one of the most promising young shortstops in baseball. At just 23 years old, this Venezuelan talent is coming off a breakout 2024 season, during which he earned his first Gold Glove Award and continued to evolve as a formidable offensive player.

In 2024, Tovar led the National League with 655 at-bats and 45 doubles, a clear indication of his durability and ability to make impactful contact with the ball. He recorded a .269 batting average, belting 26 home runs and driving in 78 RBIs, showcasing significant power improvements compared to his rookie year. His offensive achievements are particularly noteworthy given the challenging conditions of playing at Coors Field, yet he has demonstrated an ability to hit effectively in various environments.

Though Tovar still has areas for improvement regarding his plate discipline—evidenced by 200 strikeouts in the 2024 season—his defensive capabilities have already reached elite standards. Recognizing his potential, the Rockies committed to him by signing a seven-year, $63.5 million contract extension in March 2024.

As the cornerstone of the Rockies' infield, Tovar exhibits remarkable range, a powerful arm, and innate instincts at shortstop. With his continued development at the tender age of 23, his potential as both a defender and a hitter remains extraordinarily high.

83. Ryan Helsley - St. Louis Cardinals

Ryan Helsley has solidified his status as one of the most formidable closers in Major League Baseball. The 30-year-old right-handed pitcher is coming off a career-defining year in 2024, during which he led the league in saves with a total of 49 and earned the title of National League Reliever of the Year.

Hailing from Oklahoma and proud of his Cherokee Nation heritage, Helsley boasts an electrifying fastball that often exceeds 100 mph, complemented by a lethal slider and cutter. This combination has rendered him nearly unhittable during critical late-game situations for the Cardinals.

The 2024 season was momentous for Helsley as he broke the franchise record for saves in a single season while achieving a remarkable 2.04 ERA coupled with 79 strikeouts across 65 appearances. His outstanding performance earned him a spot on his second All-Star team, following his initial selection in 2022, along with All-MLB First Team recognition.

After facing health challenges in prior seasons, Helsley has exhibited both consistency and durability over the last two years. His value to the Cardinals cannot be overstated; when St. Louis maintains a lead heading into the ninth inning, Helsley has reliably emerged as a near-automatic solution in high-pressure situations.

82. Jack Flaherty - Detroit Tigers

Jack Flaherty has made his return to the Detroit Tigers after a thrilling 2024 season, during which he played a pivotal role in leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a World Series title. The 29-year-old right-hander signed a two-year contract worth $35 million to rejoin Detroit, where he initially thrived in the early part of the previous season.

Flaherty's performance during his first tenure with the Tigers in 2024 was exceptional, as he finished with a record of 7-5, a 2.95 ERA, and 133 strikeouts over 18 starts before being traded to the Dodgers at the trade deadline. Although his time in Los Angeles featured both solid and inconsistent outings, he notably delivered a remarkable seven-inning scoreless start in Game 1 of the NL Championship Series against the Mets.

The former first-round draft pick's career has been characterized by moments of brilliance, particularly during the second half of the 2019 season when he posted a remarkable 0.91 ERA, interspersed with challenges due to injuries. When Flaherty is healthy and finds his rhythm, he demonstrates an impressive fastball and possesses one of the most effective sliders in the game.

Detroit is relying on Flaherty to function as their ace, banking on his postseason experience gained with the Dodgers and his career 3.62 ERA to guide a young Tigers rotation. His capability to generate strikeouts frequently—averaging nearly a strikeout per inning throughout his career—positions him as a potential difference-maker within the competitive AL Central division.

81. Bryce Miller - Seattle Mariners

Bryce Miller has swiftly emerged as a vital component of Seattle's formidable starting rotation. The 26-year-old pitcher from Texas is coming off a significant second season, during which he attained a 12-8 record paired with a commendable 2.98 ERA and 171 strikeouts over 180⅓ innings.

Miller's ascent has been remarkable. After being selected in the fourth round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of Texas A&M, he made his debut in 2023 and quickly made a notable impression. His sophomore year in 2024 was even more striking, as he ranked eighth in MLB for ERA (2.98) and fourth in WHIP (1.068).

The right-hander possesses a powerful fastball that consistently hovers in the mid-to-high 90s with extraordinary movement, augmented by a sharp slider and a developing changeup. His capacity to pitch deep into games was evident in 2024, as he recorded at least seven innings while conceding one or fewer runs on seven separate occasions.

Still early in his career and under team control for several more seasons, Miller embodies both the current strength and future potential of the Mariners' pitching staff. His ongoing development positions Seattle as a team with one of the most formidable rotations in baseball as they head into the 2025 season.